You can download a copy of Betty Crocker’s Soups, Stews & Chilies. Some of the recipes look fantastic! Follow this link to download.

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Dieting is more than just reading about adipex review or new exercise formats, you actually have to change your lifestyle. Part of that is eating healthier. Healthy Choice is offering a $5.00 coupon off 5 Healthy Choice meals. You can download the coupon here and learn more about their meals.

You can choose from such options as Portabella Marsala Pasta, Pumpkin Squash Ravioli and Tomato Basil Penne, just to name a few.

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As I try to get organized this month, I found that Avery is offering a free sample of their Avery Label Pads. These are self-adhesive file folder-sized labels which are stacked conveniently in a pad—just write, peel and stick.

These work great for file folders and other items that use labels. I love to use them for my kids toys!

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I wanted to plan a surprise Sweet Sixteen Party for my daughter who turns sixteen in February, but she won’t have it. She likes to know everything that is going on, so I am not sure that I will be able to sneak it by her. Besides, if I invited all the wrong friends, she would be made.

At first, she wanted to do something unusual for her party, but I told her I couldn’t afford any rv financing and that cross country road trip would be out of the question!

Instead, I think I found some cool ideas that would be fun and if I can get a guest list out of her, maybe it will be a surprise after all. She just won’t know when it will hit her!

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I think one of the biggest New Year’s Resolutions is to lose weight. It is at the beginning of the year that we often reflect on what we want to change and notice that the winter months have seen us put on a few pounds! TwitterMoms and EASports have asked me to share my top ten ways for getting fit after the holidays. Here is how I plan to shed a few pounds after the holidays.

1. Make a list of food that can be eaten during the day. Each of these foods should be under 100 calories.
2. Try and eat every three hours, using these foods.
3. Plan healthy dinners that the whole family can enjoy. I not limit myself to diet foods while having to cook something entirely different for the rest of my family, yet I will be conscious of what I am cooking.
4. Fit exercise (at least walking) into my schedule three time a week.
5. After I have established a habit of exercise three times a week, try and up it to four and then five times a week. This could include a walk around the block.
6. Eliminate fast food from my diet.
7. When at parties, be free to try, but limit portions.
8. Eat something healthy (such as a salad) before attending parties or functions. Less tempted to eat unhealthy foods.
9. Drink more water. Set the timer for every hour and drink 8 ounces. If I start at 7:00am I should be able to drink eight glasses a day.
10. Don’t be too concerned with the scale. Don’t weigh yourself every day. Just take one day at a time!

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Our family had a wonderful Christmas this year. We decided to cut back on the number of gifts and spend less money and although we had less presents to open, we enjoyed each others company and everyone got what they most wanted. Unfortunately, we found that part of our electrical was not working in one of our rooms and we had to get some electrical supplies to see if we could fix the problem. There always seems to be an added expense around the holidays!

The New Year is almost here and we are busy thinking about our New Year’s resolutions! This year we are going to think small, not big, and try and do baby steps!

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Alcohol is often a part of holiday celebrations, however, unsafe alcohol use can lead to problems. I found a useful article at South Carolina’s website entitled “Tips for Organizing Alcohol-Safe and Drug Free Parties.” This article includes such tips as:

• Focusing the party on fun games or activities and not on alcohol.
• Provide plenty of food.
• Offering a variety of non-alcoholic drinks as well.
• Stop serving alcohol approximately 90 minutes before the party ends.
• Always provide alternate transportation for those who should not be driving.

The holidays always see an increase in the number of individuals who enter alcohol and drug rehab centers. Make sure that you are responsible and look out for those individuals that could be put in a harmful environment.

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I just picked up a cookie recipe book at the grocery store and want to make almost every one. This book comes with 74 recipe cards that you can tear out and put in your recipe box. Recipes include:

• Great-tasting new twists on the classics–Chocolate-Peppermint Shortbread, Glazed Toffee Bonbons, Brown Sugar Cutouts
• Choco-Hazelnut Latte Cookies, Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies and other prize-winners from our Mix it Up with Betty! Cookie Mix Recipe Contest. Submitted by home cooks, these recipes are perfect for gift-giving, cookie exchanges and your holiday goodie tray.
• Best-ever brownies collection including Dulce de Leche-Chocolate Brownies and Chocolate-Cashew Brownies
• Plus homemade candies like Chocolate-Topped Sea Salt Caramels, Extra-Nutty Peanut Brittle and Black-and-White Truffles

I plan on making a number of the recipes for gifts and I hope I don’t eat too many myself or I might have to buy myself some diet pills for Christmas! Pick up a copy at your local supermarket. You won’t be disappointed!

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Yes, Christmas is almost here and if you are like me, you have procrastinated your Christmas shopping. Here are some tips to help you get back on track:

1. Order online. Check the last available date for shipping to get the present their by Christmas. Try to order your online gifts by December 19th at the latest unless you want to pay for two-day or overnight shipping.
2. Electronic Gift cards. Many stores offer electronic gift cards. Send those off, even up until the last minute. Just make sure the receiver checks their email!
3. Food and drink. Everyone loves a good holiday treat. Put together cute gift baskets by shopping at your local grocery store or specialty store. This is a great idea for coworkers and teachers.
4. Magazines. Buy a current copy of the magazine and then order a magazine subscription. This is easy to do at the last minute.
5. Regular Gift Cards. Try a store or restaurant card. Some restaurants offer a bonus, buy a certain dollar amount and you get extra for yourself. These cards come in handy for last minute gifts that you forgot to buy.

Hopefully this tips will help if you have neglected your shopping!

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One of my favorite films is Field of Dreams. I love the part where the young baseball player, Archibald ‘Moonlight’ Graham (played by Burt Lancaster), steps off the field to return to being a doctor and saves Ray Kinsella’s daughter Karen.

I love that doctors used to carry doctor bags stocked with their medical equipment. You just don’t see this anymore. If you know a young doctor that is just finishing up medical school, a doctor bag would be a fun, nostalgic gift to give!

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